Knitting machine



June 11, 1940. M. c. MILLER 2,203,693

' KNITTING MACHINE Filed Kay 7, 1937 2 SheeQs-Sheet 1 INVENTOR h BY ATTO JEYS z (i v QQ 33% Q NMN 93 mw @MQQ mm QN QNN N3 mm ND M. c. MILLER ..2,203,693

' KNITTING MACHINE June 1 1; 1940.

Filed lay 7, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet INVENTOR. 725w 6 774% BY a d/W.

uy/b ATTORNEYS mm TN & w

Patented June 11, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 41 Claims.

The present invention relates to. improvements in yarn carrier systems for flat knitting machines, and more particularly to improvements in carrier supporting and driving mechanism which is well adapted for use in multiple section fiat full-fashioned machines.

' In machines of this general description, the yarn feeding carriers are usually supported on carrier bars which extend throughout the length of the machine and are driven from a continuously reciprocating friction driving rod by means of friction boxes which are selectively connected to reciprocate the carrier rods. With the development of modern high speed machins having increasingly complicated controls for the manufacture of reinforced and design fabrics, considerable difficulty has been encountered in adapting carrier systems of the general type above described to operate with the degree 6f accuracy and efficiency required. The weight or the carrier rods and their associated moving 'parts is sufficient to cause considerable slippage during the pick-up of the friction boxes and carriers driven thereby, so that relativelylong c'arrienhea must be employed to avoid interference with the yarn measuring movements of the sinkers. This is a considerable disadvantage particularly in connection with short course carriers for laying reinforcing or plating yarns which must be accurately positioned to appear on the correct side of the fabric.

It is a principal object of the present invention to provide a new and improved carrier system well adapted for use in full-fashioned knitting machines, which will permit of a drastic reduc-- tion in the weight ofthe driven carrier elements and a corresponding increase in the emciency and accuracy of carrier control for the knitting of high grade fabrics. It is more specifically another object of the invention to provide a novel carrier unit includingla carrier and a friction support for the outlet which is extremely light in construction, and will position the carrier accurately with relation to the sinkersand associated knitting elements for operation over long periods of time. with these and other objects in view, as may hereinafter appear, a feature of the invention consists in the provision of yarn carriers which are, ,mounted for movement independently of ,the rods on which they are supported, in combination with driving and control means therefor, including friction driving rods, individual carrier frictions, and carrier stops for limiting the movement .of each of said carriers with its rod in each direction.

Another feature of the invention consists in the provision of a carrier stop control mechanism comprising stop members constructed and 6 arranged to stop each individual carrier in the desired position, and to release the carrier for the start of its feed stroke only when the sinker slur-cock has moved to a predetermined position with relation thereto to establish the dem sired carrier lead.

. Another feature of the invention consists in the construction and arrangement of the individual carrier units, each comprising a carrier and its friction support, which is provided with 3 positioning means for maintaining an accurate alignment of the carrier with the friction driving rod and a yielding friction device adapted automatically totake up any wear in the parts.

' The several features of the invention consist also in the devices, combinations and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and claimed, which together with the advantages to be obtained thereby, will be readily understood by one skilled in the art from the following description taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a view in front elevation of a portion of a flat full-fashioned knitting machine. illustrating a preferred form of applicant's improved, carrier system, only .so

much of the machineihaving been shown as is believed necessary to show the connection ofthe present invention therewith; Fig. 2 is a sectional end view looking from the left, illustrating substantially the parts shown in Fig. 1; Fig.'3 88 .is a diagrammatic plan view of the slur-cocks, carriers, needles and related parts illustrated in. Fig. 1, at the end of the traverse from right to left; Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3, showing the positions of the parts after they have commenced their traverse from left to right in knitting full width fabric; Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic plan view similar to Figs. 3 and 4, illustrating a position of the parts in the knitting of a short course after the sinkers have started to come in, but before the start of the traverse of the carrier from left to right; Fig. -6 is a full scaleview in front elevation, of a carrier unit including the friction support and the carrier stops 8.85081! ated therewith; Fig- 7 is a sectional end view of 54) the parts shown in Fig. 6; Fig. 8 is a sectional view of certain of the parts shown in Fig. 6, looking from the right; Fig. 9 is a full scale detail view in front elevation, of the carrier stop release mechanism shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 10 is a with the bracket 54.

somewhat diagrammatic partial plan view taken on the section line l6-l6 of Fig. 9; and Fig. 11 is a sectional view looking from the left, illustrating substantially the parts shown in Fig. 9.

Apreferred form of applicant's invention is herein disclosed as embodied in a flat fullfashioned knitting machine of ordinary description, which as best shown in Figs. 1 and 2A, is provided with the usual sinker head rail 26 having supported thereon sinker beds 22 and cover plates 24 for sinkers 26. The machine is also provided with the usual knockovers 28 and spring beard needles 36 which are rigidly supported in needle beds 32 to move as a unit with relation to the cooperating knitting elements. The machine is also provided at spaced intervals along its length, and preferably between each two sections, with supporting brackets 34 which serve to support the carrier rods. sinkers are actuated by means of the usual slurcock driving mechanism including sinker jacks 38 and slur-cock cams 46, 'one being provided for each section, mounted on a reciprocating slur-cock rail 42 which is driven from the usual Coulier motion of the machine (not shown) by means of a slur-cock driving link 44.

In accordance with a principal feature of the present invention, the yarn carriers 46 are individually mounted on friction carriers 48 which are in turn directly supported on friction driving bars 56 extending the length of the machine, and positively driven from the usual Coulier motion of the machine. As best shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the friction driving bars 56 take the place of the usual carrier bars on which the carriers 46 would normally be supported, and which would in turn be driven through frictions mounted on a single 'friction driving bar for the entire machine. With the present construction, a separate friction driving bar 56 is provided for each of the eight carriers 46 associated with a single knitting section, being supported for lengthwise movement in carrier rod supports 52 spaced at intervals along the machine length on brackets 34. For convenience of illustration, the driving and control mechanism has been illustrated as applied to only one of the bars 66, although as hereinafter more fully explained, the mechanisms hereinafter to be described, may be readily duplicated for the driving of each of the rods 56 and the control of the carriers associated therewith. The rod 561s driven from the reciprocating slur-cock bar 42 through connections which include a bracket 54 rigidly secured to the slur-cock bar 42, and provided at its upper end with a pin 55 connectingthe rod 56.to move As best shown in Figs. 2, 'l and 11 of the drawings, each of the bars 56 is provided on its top and bottom surfaces with V- shaped grooves 56 and 58 which are engaged with correspondingly shaped surfaces in the brackets 52, so that the rods 56 are permitted to slide freely therein, and are at the same time rigidly supported against turning or twisting movements.

which would tend .to throw the carriers supported thereon out of alignment.

As clearly shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, the bar 56 has supported thereon a separate carrier unit comprising the carrier 48 and the friction support 48 for each knitting section of the machine. The friction support 48, as best shown in Figs. 6 and 7, comprises two side plates 66 and 62' spaced one at either side of the bar 56, and rigidly secured at their upper ends to a shoe 84 having Thev relatively long tapered ends and a V-shaped bottom surface 66 for engagement in the upper groove 56 of the bar 56. The side plates 66 and 62 are secured at their lower ends to a separating plate 68 which carries a friction shoe l6 having a V-shaped surface 12 for engagement with the bottom groove 58 of the bar 56. The friction shoe I6 is held in yielding frictional contact with the V-shaped surface 58 by means of two compression springs 14 seated in recesses formed respectively in the separating plate'68 and shoe l6, and is further provided at each end with two downwardly extending flanges 16 which engage respectively with opposite ends of the separating plate 68 to prevent endwise movement of the shoe with relation thereto. -With this construction and arrangement of the friction support 48 in which the carrier unit is entirely supported by the engagement of the-shoes 64 and 16 with the V-shaped surfaces 56 and 58- of the bar 56, it will readily be seen that the angular position of the carrier 46 .with relation to the bar 56 is accurately determined and will be maintained irrespective of any reasonable'amount of wear on the parts due to the take-up action of the friction shoe 16 which is spring-seated in the base of the V-shaped groove 58. The relatively long tapered tip portions of the fixed shoe 64 operate to effectively prevent any possible lengthwise rocking movement ofthe carrier 46 on the bar 56. In order to permit movement of the carriers 46 and friction supports 48 to the extreme end of the knitting section, the end portions of the shoe 64 take the form of a narrow strip which is arranged to slide freely within a vertical slot 86 formed in the V-shaped guiding surface in cover plate 52 for carrier bracket 34. With this construction, a relatively long sliding base may be provided for the friction support 48, while at the same time permitting the carrier unit to be brought into close proximity to the carrier brackets 34 located between each two sections of the machine.

In accordance with the present invention, a novel and improved carrier stop mechanism is provided which provides a simple and eflicient control of the reversing movements of the several carriers 46 with the friction driving and-supporting rods 56. Each of the carrier brackets 34 and cover members 52 are journalled to receive a series of stop rods, two being provided to cooperate with each carrier friction rod 56. As best shown, for example, in Figs. 2 and 7 ofthe drawings, the stop rods associated with the bar move with the rod 84 by screws 66. A tongue- 82 formed in the sleeved portion of the stop 88, is arranged for sliding contact with a fixed rod 64, and serves to limit a forward rotational movement of the stop 88 and stop rod 84 secured thereto. The stop member 88 is provided at its lower end with a notch 95 for engagement with a spring-pressed stop latch 86 which is formed on a latch lever 88 pivotally supported at I66 on the I friction carrier support 48. A compression spring I62 seated in a recess in the shoe 64 for engagement against the under side of the latch lever 88,

tends normally to maintain the latch in a fully raised position in which the extreme end of the latch lever 98 engages beneath a lug I04 on the shoe 64. As best shown in Fig. 6, the bottom portions of the stop member 88 are cammed downwardly toward the notch 95, so that the latch 96 on the moving friction support 48 will ride under the stop member 88 into engagement with the notch 95. The notch 95 is wider thanthe latch 96, and the left side thereof extends downwardly somwhat beyond the right side to insure the engagement of the latch in the notch, as the carrier 46 reaches the left limit of its traverse movement. The right sides of each of the notch 95 and latch 96 are undercut to,insure that the latch and carrier 46 will be held against movement of the carrier to the right as the slur-cock 40 and carrier friction rod 50 start their traversing stroke to the right.

The stop rod 86 has secured thereto a right limit carrier stop I06 which is similar to the left limit stop 88, being sleeved at its upper end to the rods 84 and 86, and secured by means of screws I08 to move with the rod 86. A tongue I I formed in the sleeved portion of the stop I06 is adaptedfor sliding engagement with fixed rod 94 to limit the forward rotational movement of the stops 96 and rod 86 in a forward direction. The stop I06 is also provided at its lower end with a notch H2, and cam portions H4 and. H6 on each side thereof, cause the latch 96 to ride into engagement with the notch II2.

The stop rods 84 and 86 and stops 88 and I06 secured thereto, are moved axially to determine the limits of carrier traverse in each direction, by means of a carrier spindle I20 which may be of ordinary description, having reversely threaded portions I22 and I24 on which are supported stop nuts I26 and I28. The nut I26 has formed thereon a downward extension forked at its lower end to engage opposite sides of a collar I30 which is rigidly secured to stop rod 84. The nut I28 is similarly provided with a downward exten-' sion forked at its lower end to engage oppositesides of a'collar I32 rigidly secured to stop rod 86. Rotational movements are imparted to the carrier spindle I20 to impart the desired axial positioning movements to stop rods 86 and 88- and the stops supported thereon, by means of pawling mechanismdnot shown) which may be of ordinary description cooperating with ratchets I34 secured to the left hand end of the spindleI20.

Further in accordance with the present invention, mechanism is provided which operates in timed relation to the'slur-cock movement, to disengage the stop 88 or I06 as the case may be from the latch 96, to permit the movement of the carrier 46 with its driving friction rod 50 at exactly the desired distance in advance of the slur-cock, to secure a predetermined carrier lead. This mechanism as best shown in Fig. 9, comprises two actuating pins I36 and I38 which are sup-- ported in a vertical position respectively inbrackets I40 and I42 secured to the friction driv-- ing rod 50, being held yieldingly in a raised position by compression springs I44 and I46. C0-- operating with pins I36 and I38 are two cam members I48 and I50 sleeved on the stop rods 84 and 86, the cam member I48 being rigidly secured to move with rod 84, and the cam member I50 being similarly secured to move with the I rod 86. The cams I48 and I50 cooperatewith 86 and stops 88 and I06 associated therewith,

rearwardly' out of engagement with latches 96 to release the carriers 46 when the slur-cock 40 has reached the desired point in its traversing movement. The stop rods 84 and 86 and the; stops secured thereto, are normally maintained in operating position in which the lugs 92 and H0 are engaged with the fixed rod 94 by 'means of two torsion springs I52 and I54 coiled about the rods 84 and 86, the spring I52 being securedat one end tothe depending portion of the nut I26, and at its other end to the cam member I48, the spring I54 being similarly secured at one end to a depending portion of the nut I28 and at its other end to the cam I50. As best shown in Fig's..9 and 10 of the drawings, cam member I48 has provided on the bottom portion thereof, an upwardly sloping cam surface I60 which is arranged to engage with and depressthe pins I36 and I38 during movement of the fric-l tion rod 50 to the left, so that the pins will pass under the cam without moving the stop rods from operative position. During the return movement of the friction rod 50, the pin I38 engages against a side cam surface I62 which operates to rock the cam member I48, stop rods 84 and 86, and the carrier stop members secured thereto, rearwardly to release the carriers 46.. The cam member I50 is similarly provided with a bottom cam surface I64 and side cam I66 which operate in a similar manner to permit movement of the pins I36 and I38 past the cam member I50 during the traverse to the right, and upon the return movement to the left, to rock the carrier stops I06 out of engagement with carrier latch 96 as pin I36 is brought into engagement with the side cam I66. Inasmuch as the cam member I48 is fixed to stop rod 84 in fixed relation to the left hand carrier stops 88, and cam member I50 is similarly rigidly secured to stop rod 86 in fixed relation to carrier stops I06, it will readily be seen that a constant carrier lead is maintained at all times irrespective of the length of the ac-' tive carrier stroke as determined by the position of the carrier stops.

.In operation, the carriers function as follows:

Assuming that full width fabric is being knitted, and that the active carrier or carriers arc'at the left hand end of their stroke, and that the last laid yarn has been formed into loops by the ordinary knitting motion of the needles and corelated parts, and that the next traverse of the carriers is to take place, the position of the parts will now be as shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 9.

As the traverse of the slur-cock bar 42 from left to right commences, the slur-cock 40, driver 54, and carrier rod 50 start to move from left to right. The carriers 46 are, however, only moved the clearance distance, marked X in Fig. 6, until such time as the pin I36, Figs. 1, 9 and 10, contacts and swings the cam member I48. This is done so that the lead of the carrier ahead of the slur-cook 40 is desirably short, as shown by the distance W, Fig'. 4, instead of long. as shown by the distance Y, in Fig. 3, as it would be if the carriers 46 were not delayed in commencing their traverse. The carrier traverse now commences, leading the slur cocks as shown by W in Fig. 4. The pinv I38 also contacts the cam surface I62 of the member I 48, without effect since the carriers 46 have already been released. As the traverse continues, the latch96, Fig. 6, is depressed by the cam portion II4 of the stop I06, Fig. 6; but this does not interfere with the continued traverse of the carrier, which is, however, arrested when its latch 96 contacts the further side of the notch H2. The traverse of the carrier rod 50 continues, the pins I36, I38 being de-- pressed by the cam I64 of the member I50, without effect, so that at the end of the stroke from left to right, the carriers have been arrested at the right hand end of each respective section with the pin members I36 and I38 positioned at the right hand end of their stroke, as shown in; dot-and-dash lines in Figs. 1 and the slurcocks 40 then being in their position to the extreme right. The traverse stroke from right to left takes place in the same manner as described for the just finished stroke from left to right with the pin I38 leading, instead of the pin I36, thereby maintaining the same short lead in either direction of traverse by reason of the fact that the distance U, Fig. 1, is alike.

When narrow areas of'fabric are to be knit-- ted as, for instance, in the fashioning or narrowing of the goods, the carrier stop rods 84 and 86 are relatively shifted longitudinally by racking the spindle I28, so that the carrier stops 88 and I06 are moved relatively toward each other. Inasmuch'as the cam' members I48 and I50 asso-- ciated respectively with the stops 88 and I106 are maintained at all times in spaced relation there-- to on the stop rods 84 and 86, it willreadily be seen that the carriers 46 will be released for theirscribed for each carrier rod, hasnot necessitated tially above the carriers in parallel non-overlapany increase in the space between the carrier rods, so that relatively short carriers 46 may be employed, thus insuring a maximum degree of efficiency and certainty in operation. It will be understood that separate carrier spindles such as that illustrated at I20 may be employed for controlling the operation of the stop mechanism associated with each carrier rod 50.

Another advantage of applicant's structure in which the several carriers associated with each section are supported on and are driven from separate friction rods mounted substantially above the carriers, consists in the fact that the several carrier supporting and traversing units are constructed and arranged in a parallel nonoverlapping relation to permit the unobstructed feed of yarn to the carriers therebetween,

It will be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific embodiment shown, and that various deviations may be made therefrom without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A carrier system for flat knitting machines having a plurality of at least three carriers associated with a needle series movable in-closely adjacent non-conflicting parallel paths extending the full length of the needle series which comprises separate supporting and driving units for each of the several carriers located substanping relation to permit the unobstructed feed of yarn to the carriers therebetween, each of said units comprising a sleeve bearing for the associated carrier,-a friction driving rod, one such rod beingprovided for each carrier and having a traversing stroke in excess of the carrier feed 1 stroke, and a friction device connecting the carto traverse the carrier, and carrier stops and separate supporting means for said stops associated with and forming a part of each unit for limiting the movement of each of said carriers in each direction.

2. A carrier system for a. multiple section fullfashioned knitting machine having a plurality of corresponding yarn carriers associated with each knitting section movable in closely adjacent non-conflicting parallel paths which comprises separate supporting and driving units for supporting and simultaneously traversing the corresponding carriers locatedsubstantially above the carriers in parallel non-overlapping relation to permit the unobstructed feed of yarn to the carriers therebetween, each of said units comprising a sleeve bearing for the associated carrier, a friction driving rod extending the length'of the several sections, one such rod being provided for each corresponding carrier of the several sections, and having a traversing stroke in excess of the carrier feed stroke, and a separate friction device associated with the corresponding carrier of each section connecting the corresponding carrier and its slidable bearing with the friction rod to traverse said corresponding carrier, and carrier stops for limiting the movement of each of said carriers with its associated driving rod in each direction.

3. In a flat knitting machine having a series of needles and cooperating knitting elements,

a yarn carrier, a traversing carrier bar, supporting means for the carrier mounted upon and frictionally engaging the bar, control means for the carrier comprising a carrier stop and a latching device associated therewith to lock the carrier against return movement with the carrier bar, a latch release element connected to move with the bar and thereby to determine carrier lead, and means for shifting said stop lengthwise of the bar to vary the limit of the carrier stroke while" maintaining constant carrier lead.

4. In a flat knitting machine having individually movable yarn measuring sinkers and a slur-cock cam for advancing the sinkers, the combination of a yarn carrier, a traversing carrier bar connected to move with the slur-cock cam, a friction element on the bar connected to move the carrier, and control means for the carrier comprising an axially movable stop rod, a carrier stop on the rod, a latching device cooperating with the stop to lock the carrier against return movement with the carrier bar, a latch release element connected to move with the bar and slur-cock cam and thereby to determine carrier lead, and means for shifting said stop rod to vary the limit of the carrier stroke while tatably movable stop rod, 8. carrier stop on the rod, a latching device cooperating with the stop to lock the carrier against return movement with the carrier bar, a rocker cam on the rod and a latch release member movable with the traversing bar and slur-cock cam for engagement with the rocker cam to rock the stop rod and thereby to release the latch, and means for axially shifting the stop rod to vary the limit of the carrier stroke while maintaining constant the carrier lead. 1 1 v 6. In a flat knitting machine having individually movable yarn measuring sinkers and a slurcock cam for successively advancing the sinkers,

the combination of a'carrier driving friction bar connected to move with the slur-cock cam, a yarn carrier, a friction element on the rod connected to move the carrier, a pair of individually movable stop rods, a stop on each of said rods, and a latch associated with the carrier for engagement with one or the other of said stops to latch the carrier against movement with the rod at each end of its traversing stroke, cams on said stop rods and actuating membersmovable with the friction bar engaging the cams to rock the stop rods and stops mounted thereon out of engagement with the carrier latch, and means for imparting axial positioning movements to said stop rods.

-7. In a fiat knitting machine having independently movable yarn measuring sinkers and a slur-cock for successively advancing the sinkers, a carrier driving friction barhaving a traversing stroke in excess of the carrier knitting stroke, a yarn carrier, a friction element supporting said carrier mounted on said friction bar, and means for controlling the movement of the carrier with the bar comprising two stop rods, stops on said rods and a latch on the carrier cooperating therewith to latch the carrier against movement with the carrier rod at each end of the carrierstroke, and means acting in timed relation to the slur-cock movement to rock said stop rods and stops supported thereby out of engagement with the carrier to permit the return movement of the carrier with the bar.

8. In a ilat knitting machine, a carrier driving friction bar, guide supports for the bar, saidbar and supports having cooperating tongue and groove slide surfaces located on opposite sides of the bar, and a carrier unitcomprising a yarn carrier, and a carrier support having friction surfaces to provide tongue and grooved engagement with opposite sides of the bar.

9. In a flat knitting machine, a carrier driving friction bar, guide supports for the bar, said bar and supports having cooperating tongue and groove slide surfaces located on opposite sides of the bar, and a carrier unit comprising a yarn carrier, and a carrier support'comprising friction shoes having a tongue and groove engagement with opposite sides of the support.

10. In a flat knitting machine, a carrier driving friction bar, guide supports for the bar, said bar and supports having cooperating tongue and groove slide surfaces located on opposite sides of the bar, and a carrier unit comprising a yarn carrier, a carrier support comprising friction shoes having a tongue and groove engagement with opposite sides of the support, and ten sioning means acting upon said shoes for frictionally engaging the bar between them.

11. In a fiat knitting machine, a carrier diiv-, ing friction bar, guide supports for the bar, said bar and supports having cooperating tongue and groove slide surfaces located on opposite sides of the bar, and a carrier unit frictionally supported -on said bar comprising a yarn carrier, a friction shoe rigidly connected to the carrier having tongue and grooved engagement with one side of the bar, a friction shoe having a tongue and grooved engagement with the other side of the bar, and tensioning means for frictionally engaging the shoes with the bar.

tapered end portions of the friction shoe.

13. In a flat knitting machine, a carrier driving friction bar having formed on opposite surfaces thereof longitudinally extending convex tapered grooves, slide supports for the bar comprising guides engaging within the grooves, and a carrier unit frictionally supported on the bar comprising a yarn carrier, and friction shoes en-' gaging within the grooves.

14. In a flat knitting machine, a carrier driving friction bar having formed on opposite surfaces thereof longitudinally extending convex tapered grooves, slide supports for the bar comprising guides engaging within the grooves, and a carrier unit frictionally supported on the bar comprising a yarn carrier, and a friction support for the carrier having convex tapered friction shoes engaging within the grooves, and tensioning means for seating the shoes in their grooves.

15. A yarn carrier unit for a flat knitting ma.- chine comprising a friction support having oppositelyfaced V-shaped friction shoes and a car? rier directly mounted on the support.

16. A yarn carrier unit for a fiat knitting machine having a carrier bar, which comprises a carrier, a carrier support, and shoes carried by the support having a sloping tongue and grooved sliding engagement with opposite sides of the bar whereby the carrier is rigidly supported against angular movement with relation to the bar.

1'7. A yarn carrier unit for a flat knitting machine having a carrier 'bar which comprises, a carrier, a carrier support, shoes carried by the support having a sloping tongue and groove engagement with opposite sides of the bar whereby the bar is rigidly supported against angular movement with relation to the bar, said carrier support comprising a; pairof side plates, and means for securing said side plates to the shoes arranged to permit dis-assembly and removal of the carrier supportincluding the shoes from the bar. 1

18. A yarn carrier unit for a flat knitting machine having a carrier bar, which comprises a carrier, a carrier support, shoes carried by thesupport having a sloping tongue and grooved sliding engagement with opposite sides of the bar, and means acting on said shoes to maintain a yielding engagement between the shoes and the bar whereby the carrier is rigidly supported against angular movement with relation to the bar. i

19. In a multiple section full-fashioned knit- Y ting machine, a carrier driving friction bar. having a traversing stroke in excess of the carrier knitting stroke, a carrier associated with each carrier stops comprising a pair of independently movable left and right stop rods to which said stops are secured, said stop rods being further arranged to rotate as a single unit to move the stops into and out of operating position.

20. In a multiple section full-fashioned knitting machine, a carrier driving friction bar having a traversing stroke in excess of the carrier knitting stroke, a carrier associated with each section, a friction associated with each of said carriers for driving the carriers from the bar, individual control devices for determining the limits of the knitting stroke of each carrier, comprising a pair of left and right stop rods supported in sliding engagement with one another and having the outer peripheries thereof forming the complementary portions of a circle, said rods being supported for rotational movement as a unit and for independent axial positioning movement, and carrier stops on said rods rotatable with said rods into and out of operating position, and axially adjustable therewith for adjusting the limits of traverse of each of the carriers supported on the associated friction rod.

21. In a multiple section full-fashioned knitting machine, a carrier driving friction bar extending the length of a plurality of knitting sections, asinker slur-cock bar connected to move with said friction bar, separate carrier units associated with each of said several sections, each comprising a friction member on the bar and a carrier actuated thereby, a pair of independently movable left and right carrier stop rods, left and right carrier stops for each of said several sectlons mounted on said rods, a latch associated with each carrier for engagement alternately with the left and right stops to latch the carrier against movement with the friction bar, and means for simultaneously actuating said. stops to simultaneously release the carriers associated with the several sections in timed relation to slurcock movement.

22. A carrier system for a multiple section full-fashioned knitting machine having a multiplicity of yarn carriers associated with each knitting section, a plurality of said carriers being arranged to follow parallel non-conflicting paths, separate friction driving rods supported in closely adjacent parallel position for traversing each of the several carriers associated with each section, separate supporting means for each carrier mounted upon and frictionally engaging the associated friction driving rod, carrier stops for arresting the movement of each of said carriers with its associated driving rod in each direction, and means for adjusting the positions of said stops to vary the limits of the carrier stroke,

23. A carrier system for a multiple section fullfashioned knitting machine having a multiplicity of yarn carriers associated with each knitting section, a plurality of said carriers being arranged to follow parallel non-conflicting paths, separate friction driving rods supported in closely adjacent parallel position for traversing each of the several carriers associated with each section, separate supporting means for each carrier mounted upon and frictionally engaging the associated friction driving rod, and individual control devices for determining the limit of the knitting stroke of each carrier comprising a pair of axially shiftable left and right stop rods asso-.

ciated with each friction driving rod, and carrier stops on said rods for limiting the traverse of the carrier for each section carried on the associated friction driving rod.

24. A carrier system for a multiple section fullfashioned knitting machine having a multiplicity of yarn carriers associated with each knitting section, a plurality of said carriers being arranged to follow parallel non-conflicting paths, separate friction driving rods supported in closely adjacent parallel position for traversing each of the several carriers associated with each section, separate supporting means for each carrier mounted upon and frictionally engaging the associated friction driving rod, and means for determining the limit of the knitting stroke of each carrier comprising a pair of left and right stop rods associated with each friction driving rod, said stop rods being constructed and arranged for rotational movements as a unit and said support comprising a friction driving rod having a traversing stroke in excess of the car-= rier feed stroke, a friction device forming an integral part of said sleeve support co-acting with the friction rod to traverse the carrier, left and right carrier stops for limiting the movement of the carrier ineach direction, and supporting and controlling means for said carrier stops coinprising a pair of independently movable left and right carrier stop rods to which said stops are secured, said stop rods being arranged for relative axial movement and to rotate as a single unit, means for adjusting the positions of said stop rods to vary the limits of the carrier stroke, and means for rotating saidrods to shift said stops into and out of operative position.

26. A carrier system for a multiple section full-fashioned knitting machine having a multiplicity of yarn carriers associated with each knitting section, a plurality of said carriers being arranged to follow parallel non-conflicting paths, separate friction driving rods supported in closely adjacent parallel position and extending the length of the several sections for traversing each of the several carriers associated with each section, separate supporting means for each carrier mounted upon and frictionally engaging the associated friction driving rod, and. carrier stops for arresting the movement of each of said oarriers with its associated driving rod in each direction.

2%. A carrier system for a multiple section full-fashioned knitting machine having a muitiplicity of yarn carriers associated with each knitting section, a plurality of said carriers being arranged to follow pitrallelnon-conflicting paths, separate friction driving rods supported in closely adjacent parallel position and extend ing the length of the several sections for traversing each of the several carriers associated with each section, separate supporting means for each carrier mounted upon and frictionally en gaging the associated friction driving rod, and

individual control devices for determining the for moving the stops into and'out of carrier stop position.

28. A carrier system for multiple section fullfashioned knitting machines having a multiplicity of yarn carriers associated with each knitting section, a plurality of said carriers being arranged to follow parallel non-conflicting paths, which comprises separate supporting and driving units for supporting and simultaneously traversing the corresponding carriers of the several sections located substantially above the carriers and in parallel non-overlapping relation to permit the unobstructed feed of the yarn to the carriers therebetween, each of said units comprising with a corresponding carrier from each section, a driving rod extending the length of the several sections, a plurality of such rods being provided in closely adjacent parallel position to cooperate with the several corresponding carriers of the several sections, and having a traversing stroke in excess of the carrier feed stroke, a separate friction device connecting the corresponding carrier of each section to be driven by said friction driving rod, and carrier stops to stop each corresponding carrier.

29. A carrier system for multiple section fullfashioned knitting machines having a multiplicity of yarn carriers associated with each knitting section, a plurality of said carriers being arranged to follow parallel non-conflicting paths, which comprises separate supporting and driving units for supporting and simultaneously traversing the corresponding carriers of the several sections located substantially above the carriers and in parallel non-overlapping relation to permit the unobstructed feed of the yarn to the carriers therebetween, each of said units comprising with a corresponding carrier from each section, a driving rod extending the length of the several sections, a plurality of such rods being provided in closely adjacent parallel position to cooperate with the several corresponding carriers of the several sections, and having a traversing stroke in excess of the carrier feed stroke, a separate friction device connecting the corresponding carrier of each section to be driven by said friction driving rod, carrier stops to stop each corresponding carrier of the unit, and means for adjusting the positions of said stops to effect identical adjustments of the stroke of the corresponding carriers.

30. A carrier system for multiple section fullfashioned knitting machines having a multiplicity of yarn carriers, associated with each knitting section, a plurality of said carriers being arranged to follow parallel non-conflicting paths, whichcomprises separate supporting and driving units for supporting and simultaneously traversing the corresponding carriers of the several sections located substantially above the carriers and in parallel non-overlapping relation to permit theunobstructed feed of the yarn to the carriers therebetween, each of said units comprising with a corresponding carrier from each section, a driving rod extending the length of the several sections, a plurality of such rods being provided in closely adjacent parallel position to cooperate with the several correspondingcarriers of the several sections, and having a traversing stroke in excess of the carrier feed stroke, a separate frictiondevice connecting the corresponding carrier of each section to be driven by said friction driving rod, carrier stops to stop each corresponding carrier of the unit, means for adjusting the positions of said stops to effect identical"'adjustments-of the stroke of thecorresponding carriers, and means for moving the stops associated with the several corresponding carriers simultaneously into and out of carrier stop position.

31. In a carrier system for multiple section full-fashioned knitting machines having a multiplicity of yarn carriers associated with each knitting section, a pluralityof said carriers being arranged to follow parallel non-conflicting paths, and means for simultaneously traversing the corresponding carriers of the several sections, the combination of a friction driving rod extending the length of the several sections and having a traversing stroke in excess of the carried feed stroke, a separate carrier friction connecting a corresponding carrier from each section to be driven by said friction driving rod, carrier stops to stop the corresponding carriers from the several sections, and means for adjusting the positions of said stops to effect identical adjustments of the stroke of the corresponding carriers.

32. In a carrier system for multiple section fullfashioned knitting machines having a multiplicity of yarn carriers associated with each knitting section, a plurality of said carriers being arranged to follow parallel non-conflicting paths, and means for simultaneously traversing the corresponding carriers of the several sections, the combination of a friction driving rod extending the length of the several sections and having a traversing stroke in excess of the carrier feed stroke, a separate carrier friction connecting a corresponding carrier from each section to be driven by said friction driving rod, a pair of left and right carrier stop rods associated with said friction driving rod and extending the length of the several sections, and left and right carrier stops supported thereon to stop each of said corresponding carriers.

33. In a carrier system for multiple section full-fashioned knitting machines having a multiplicity of yarn carriers associated with each knitting section, a plurality of said carriers being arranged to follow parallel non-conflicting paths, and means for simultaneously traversing the corresponding carriers of the several sections, the combination of a friction driving rod extending the length of the several sections and having a traversing stroke in excess of the carrier feed stroke, a separate carrier friction connecting a corresponding carrier from each section to be driven by said friction driving rod, a pair of left and right carrier "stop rods associated with said' friction driving rod and extending the length of the several sections, left and right carrier stops supported thereon at each knitting section for limiting the movement of each corresponding carrier in each direction, and means for imparting axial positioning movements to said stop rods.

34. In a carrier system for multiple section full-fashioned knitting machines having a multiplicity of yarn carriers associated with each knitting section, a plurality of said carriers being arranged to follow parallel non-conflicting paths, and separate supporting and driving means for simultaneously traversing the corresponding carriers of the several sections, the combination of a friction driving rod extending the length of the several sections and having a traversing stroke in excess of the carrier feed stroke, a separate carrier friction connecting a corresponding carrier from each section to be driven by said friction driving rod, a pair of left and right'carrier stop rods associated with said friction driving rod and extending the length of the several sections, left and right carrier stops supported thereon at each knitting section for limiting the movement of each corresponding carrier in each direction, and means for rocking said rods to move the stops into and out of carrier stop position.

35. In a carrier system for multiple section full-fashioned knitting machines having a multiplicity of yarn carriers associated with each knitting section, a plurality of said carriers being arranged to follow parallel non-conflicting paths, and means for simultaneously traversing the corresponding carriers of the several sections, the combination of a friction driving rod extending the length of the several sections and-having a traversing stroke in excess of the carrier feed stroke, a separate carrier friction connecting a corresponding carrier from each section to be driven by said friction driving rod, a pair of left and right carrier stop rods associated with said friction driving rod and extending the length of the several sections, left and right carrier stops supported on said stop rods, and latching devices associated therewith at each knitting section for limiting the movement of each corresponding carrier in each direction, and means for simultaneously releasing the latching devices acting upon corresponding carriers to determine carrier lead.

36. A carrier system for a multiple section fullfashioned knitting machine having a multiplicity of yarn carriers associated with each knitting section, a plurality of said carriers being arranged to follow parallel non-conflicting paths, separate friction driving rods supported in closely adjacent parallel position for traversing each of the several carriers associated with each section, a separate support for each carrier mounted upon and frictionally engaging the cooperating driving rod, the frictionally engaging surfaces of said bar and support including a friction shoe yieldably seated against the rod arranged to rigidly support the carrier against angular movement on the rod, and carrier stops for arresting the movement of each of said carriers with its associated driving rod in each direction.

3'7. A carrier system for a multiple section full-fashioned knitting machine having a multiplicity of yarn carriers associated with each knitting section, a plurality of said carriers being arranged to follow parallel non-conflicting paths, separate friction driving rods supported in closely adjacent parallel position for traversing each of the several carriers associated with each section, a separate support for each carrier mounted upon and frictionally engaging the cooperating driving rod, the frictionally engaging surfaces of said bar and support including a friction shoe yieldably seated against the rod arranged to rigidly support the carrier against angular movement on the rod, carrier stops for arresting the movement of each of said carriers with its associated driving rod in each direction, and means for effecting simultaneous adjustaeoaee ment of the stops cooperating with corresponding carriers for the several sections.

38. A carrier system for a multiple section full-fashioned knitting machine having a mul tiplicity of yarn carriers associated with each knitting section, a plurality of said carriers being arranged to follow parallel-non-confiicting paths, separate friction driving rods supported in closely adjacent parallel positions -stepped downwardly toward the rear of the machine in order to space said rods substantially equal distances from the knitting sections, unitary driving means for the several friction rods, separate sup porting means for each carrier mounted upon and frictionally engaging the associated friction driving rod, and carrier stops for arresting the movement of each of said carriers with its associated driving'rod in each direction,

39. In a fiat knitting machine having a series of needles and cooperating knitting elements, a yarn carrier, a traversing carrier bar, supporting means for the carrier mounted upon and frictionally engaging the bar, control means for the carrier comprising a relatively stationary carrier stop member, and a stop engaging member supported to move with the carrier, one of said members being recessed to provide a stop surface and a cooperating latching surface ar ranged to engage between them the other of said members, and means for spring seating one of said stop and stop engaging members to permit relative movement thereof into stop latch position, a latch release element connected to move with the bar and thereby to determine carrier lead, and means for shifting said stop member lengthwise of the bar to vary the limit of the carrier stroke while maintaining constant carrier lead.

40. In a fiat knitting machine having a series of needles and cooperating knitting elements, a yarn carrier, a traversing carrier bar, supporting means for the carrier mounted upon and frictionallyengaging the bar, control means for the carrier comprising a carrier stop member formed with a projecting stop surface, and a similarly projecting latch surface of shorter length, a stop engaging member supported to move with the carrier and to fit loosely into said recess, and means for spring seating one of said stop and stop engaging members to cause relative movement thereof into stop latch position, a latch release element connected to move with the bar and thereby to determine carrier lead, and means for shifting said stop member lengthwise of the bar to vary the limit 'of the carrier stroke while maintaining constant carrier lead.

43.. In a fiat knitting machine, the combination with a yarn carrier, of a traversable carrier bar having formed on opposite surfaces thereof t -shaped bearing surfaces, and slide supports for the bar having the bearing surfaces thereof correspondingly V-shaped for accurately deter mining the angular position of the rod and carrier supported thereby.

MAX C. MILLER. 

